Ed Sanders: "New Works" ***** in Indianapolis

Ed Sanders: "New Works" *****

Is a painting a portal to the artist’s soul? Concerning Ed Sanders’ work, I’d say yes. Posthumously shown at FLUX are 22 of his figurative portraits. Through understanding them, one hopes to recognize Ed. On view are his last oil paintings and others dating to 2004. Like Francis Bacon, Sanders relied on somber grays, religious symbolism and mask-like faces to portray subjects. His working process involved painting over paintings, and blending facial details almost to obscurity. He attached soaked paper towels over painted faces to mix the features. The results are extrasensory. The expressive canvases reveal turmoil, passion, defiance, vulnerability and resolution. Sanders’ final works, such as “Self-Portrait” and “The Priest, The Actor,” contain colors more pure, prevalent and bold than before. Through Oct. 28; 636-3243. --Susan Watt Grade